Romantic hotels around Yorkshire

Times Online 14/04/08

Romantic hotels around Yorkshire

A room in the Balmoral Hotel Harrogate

Susan d’Arcy

We were lucky enough last year, to enjoy an all expenses paid weekend away at Barnsley House in the Cotswolds.

Could you recommend a similarly romantic weekend retreat that is more affordable, so that we can recreate the atmosphere on our most modest budget? Somewhere within a couple of hours of West Yorkshire would be perfect – R. Owens, Yorkshire

Sunday Times travel expert Susan d’Arcy responds:

You won’t be disappointed at the Balmoral Hotel (01423 508208, www.balmoralhotel.co.uk) in Harrogate. It reopened about a year after its 23 rooms got a groovy makeover. It certainly shares Barnsley’s exuberant décor: rooms that feature Victorian fireplaces, four-poster beds, Louis V-style armchairs, glinting chandeliers, and sexy black marble bathrooms.

Its Grille restaurant also has the same relaxed stylish feel as Barnsley’s and, although the Balmoral doesn’t have a spa, you get complimentary use of the nearby Academy Spa. All that and doubles from £100, can’t be bad.